Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States would maintain freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea despite Chinese blockade.

In a press conference after meeting with his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana in Quezon City today, US Defense Secretary Esper said the implementation of the freedom of navigation patrol operations in the South China Sea is to send a message. It is clear that every country should abide by international law. He said this year, the United States has carried out more freedom of navigation operations over the past 20 years.

"I think we all have a duty to express our views very clearly, at the same time asserting sovereignty and emphasizing the importance of the law," Mr. Esper said.

"The message we are trying to send is not about opposing China itself, but we support international rules and laws and want China to follow them. Cooperating in action is a good way. best to deliver that message and force Beijing in the right direction, "he added.

The US Defense Secretary said he and his Filipino counterpart discussed various measures to strengthen cooperation, further promote decades-old alliances between the two countries, and improve security. shipping.

"The United States will continue to support and help modernize the Philippine armed forces, improve maritime security and territorial awareness," Mr. Esper said. "We aim for joint air and sea patrols to promote our ability to cooperate and enforce our commitment to upholding international rules and standards for a long time."

The US government has repeatedly condemned China's actions in the South China Sea. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on November 15 criticized China "to say one thing and do another" to its own commitments, not to comply with international standards, such as the deployment of weapons to artificial islands. illegal reclamation in the South China Sea despite having promised not to militarize the region.

China claims a large part of the South China Sea, overlapping the waters of other countries in the region, and at the same time, accrue and militarize illegal artificial islands to consolidate its claims, despite the laws. international and national objections of the world. The U.S. Navy repeatedly dispatched warships through the South China Sea during operations to freedom of navigation and challenge China's unjustified sovereignty claims.